Don’t be a naysayer in November and just sit at home in dread of the long winter ahead. Why not open the doors and let in some light, not only by seeking out places that are warm in November, but also by just staying out in nature for as many hours as possible? Here are some of our saunters in the sun that also provide some winter fun. If you fancy trekking in the Atlas, or island-hopping in Cape Verde, you have all summer to get in training. And if you like to avoid the whole build up to Christmas, taking on a massive trek to Aconcagua, Argentina will knock that on the head. Last but not least, you can always raise a toast to some remaining rays of sunshine along the wine trails of Istria or Provence, as well as to enjoying some of our best walking holidays in November.
November hiking spots in the Canary Islands
Swap November malaise for national park nirvanas of the Canary Islands, where hiking trails take you into the sweet secret spots of these islands that are often underrated for sustainable adventures. Such as the GR131, a waymarked trail that features on all seven of the Canary Islands, coast to coast, connecting them like a string of natural pearls. You can get some good flight prices too, if you avoid November half term break, because you are getting in before the Christmas Canary rush.
You won’t be rushing as you walk through the likes of Mount Teide in Tenerife, Garajonay on La Gomera, or Caldera de Taburiente on La Palma, just some of the Canary Islands’ national parks. If you want to explore one of the quietest Canary Islands, then walking in El Hierro ticks a lot of beautiful boxes. This is a mountainous, volcanic island, steeped in ancient and religious heritage, with sacred trees and remote chapels, laurisilva forests and clifftop caminos. All of these Canary Island walking holidays make you thankful for nature in November. A good one to time with Thanksgiving, perhaps.
Málaga, Spain
Although Málaga is famous for being a historic port city on the Costa del Sol, you only need to go a stone’s throw to hit the hiking trails of Sierra de Tejeda and Almijara mountain range, protected by a natural park of the same name. There are so many trails, in fact, that we have two centre-based holidays near the city, both of which give you access to them. On this holiday you stay in Canillas de Albaida and, on this upgraded version, the hotel is in Cómpeta, both villages being typical whitewashed beauties of the region. The highlight for many is the El Saltillo Hike, which is part of the greater GR249 trail, also known as the Gran Senda de Málaga. It’s a feature of both of these Málaga walking holidays but you also have options to walk the Silk Route through the rugged terrain and cliffs of the Axarquía region, and take a trek to the summit of Cerro Verde (1,346m). In addition, you can travel to Málaga by train, so this holiday is stress-free on so many levels.
Is November a good month for hiking in the Atlas Mountains?
It’s a brilliant time to go. The Atlas Mountains are like the icing on Morocco’s colossal cake, spread for 2,000km across the top of the country and into Tunisia. They are also home to the welcoming indigenous Berber or Amazigh people. Our Morocco hiking holidays in the High Atlas take you up winding, steep and sometimes icy slopes, past ochre Berber villages that merge with the rock faces of the same hue, following in the steps of shepherds or goat herders and their trusty pack mules. You can aim high and take on Mount Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa, or seek out an alternative summit on our new trekking tour to Mount M’Goun (4,068m) is the third highest peak of the Atlas. The Atlas Mountains are also just 70km from Marrakech, and many of our holidays include a night there so you can do all your Christmas shopping on the same trip. Book a check-in bag. You won’t regret it.
Which trek is best in November for solo hikers?
We have lots of hiking holidays where you can find some seriously good solo mojo moments in November. From the Canaries in Spain to the Calanques in France, or an Azores or Algarve walking holiday, finding the sun as a solo adventurer is one of the most uplifting ways to bring the year to a close. And reinvigorate you for the craziness of Christmas that often awaits us. Here are all our solo walking holidays in November, and you may also enjoy my blog, Hiking the calanques solo, which I undertook in November.
Winter sun hiking in Istria, Croatia
This is the time of year when Croatians are putting their feet up after a long summer tourist season, closely followed by their much celebrated wine harvest. There’s a chilled atmosphere in November and the temperatures are high enough to enjoy your Malvazija well chilled too. Which is why we recommend spending a week on a self-guided walking holiday of Istria’s wine country, hiking alongside olive groves and vineyards, through autumnal forests and riverfronts, and taking on a few challenges such as a trek to the summit of Istria’s highest peak, Mount Učka (1,401m), with views out along the Adriatic. Which is still around 18C, so pack your swimsuit. Travel to Trieste for this trip, with some bargain November flight prices to be had.
Go hiking down under in November in New Zealand
The Maori greeting kia ora not only means hello, but also refers to the whole picture of being alive. Get ready for life-affirming New Zealand walking holidays, which are both epic and eclectic in their itineraries. Such as exploring the trails and tales of the North Island’s Lake Rotorua and Mount Tarawera, a family favourite with great insights into a long, inspiring history. Or, on the South Island, walking on the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, which is considered one of the great walks New Zealand has to offer. Also on the South Island, let’s say hello to the Queen Charlotte Track, where you walk from one lodge to the next through coastal bush terrain, native forest and some colossal coastal ridgelines. As you will discover, New Zealand hiking trails are engrained in the Kiwi kia ora culture, where you are not only made to feel very welcome, but also very much alive.
Where to go hiking in November on a small group tour
The majority of our walking holidays are self-guided independent adventures, following carefully-crafted itineraries all on your own. However, we also now have some small group walking holidays in our collections, usually in wilder landscapes such Aconcagua, Argentina, which is our only seriously tough summit tour open for booking during November. It’s actually the highest trekking peak in the world (6,960m), as you don’t need technical climbing skills, and it is also considered one of the planet’s most spectacular treks. Walk for 18 days with a small group, guided by a team of mountain experts on a seriously strenuous but extraordinary journey. What a way to bring the year to a near close.
For something less strenuous, but still seriously engaging culturally, we have three Japanese small group tours available in November. These are variations of the Kumano Kodo and Nakasendo trails which, during November, are much quieter than other times of the year, and you will be able to warm up, Japanese-style at a variety of traditional onsens. In addition, you can top and tail your trails with time in Kyoto, Osaka or Tokyo, depending on the tour, giving you plenty of opportunities for Christmas shopping.
Wine Trails, Provence
There’s one fine way to stop whining about November and that’s to just go wining instead, on a six day walking holiday around Provence’s most prestigious and prolific wine region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This trip is an antidote to drowning your seasonal sorrows. Instead, you wake up to breakfast in a beautiful, traditional Provençal hotel, walk the valleys and vineyards on tranquil trails for three or four hours a day, with temperatures around 12-15C. Follow that with a sunset wine tasting or aperitif at your next hotel, your bags safely delivered while you walk. This holiday is also reachable by rail (7h 30mins from London, for example), so you can bring a few bottles back for Christmas.
Hiking on Cape Verde
Our Cape Verde hiking holidays open in November when temperatures are between 22-28C. These island idylls are never short of a coastal breeze, making it perfect to explore this tropical Atlantic archipelago that was once described by Charles Darwin as a “glory of tropical vegetation”. Combine Creole culture with a glorious climate and community camaraderie on the islands of São Vicente, Santo Antão and Fogo, all boasting their own natural heritage highlights in a seascape of voluptuous volcanoes.
For more winter walking holidays that take you into Narnia-like lands, national parks or give you natural highs to fight November lows, don’t hesitate to contact us. You may also enjoy our blog on The Fishermen’s Trail in Portugal (also available in November) or Camino de Santiago routes, many of which are also bookable for travel in November. As well as a summary of other winter sun walking holidays.
Walking Canary Islands: Tenerife, La Gomera and La Palma
Walking in Tenerife: GR131 Trail
Walking in El Hierro
Walking in Lanzarote and La Graciosa
Walking in Lanzarote: GR131 Trail
Walking in Fuerteventura: GR131 Trail
Walking in Gran Canaria: GR131 Trail
Walking in La Palma
Walking in La Gomera
Walking in Tenerife and La Gomera
Walking in Gran Canaria
